The Ocean Foundation and University of Havana’s Marine Research Center: 21 Years of Science, Discovery, and Friendship

This week The Ocean Foundation attended the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Havana’s Centro de Investigaciones Marinas (CIM, Marine Research Center) where TOF was recognized for its 21 years of collaboration with CIM on marine science in Cuba. TOF’s work with CIM began in 1999 when TOF’s Fernando Bretos met the CIM Director at the time Doctor Maria Elena Ibarra. Dr. Ibarra’s passion for marine conservation and in partnering with international groups was the driving force behind TOF’s first collaborations with CIM.

The first TOF-CIM collaborative project involved analyses of CIM’s taxonomic collection in 1999. Since then, TOF-CIM collaborations have grown to include sea turtle conservation in Cuba’s Guanahacabibes National Park, research cruises along nearly the entirety of the Cuban coastline, international fisheries learning exchanges, expeditions to monitor coral spawning, and most recently a project to study and protect sawfish in Cuba. These collaborations have led to important conservation outcomes and form the basis for over 30 doctoral and master’s dissertations for CIM students. CIM has also been long-time partners in TOF’s Trinational Initiative for Marine Science and Conservation in the Gulf of Mexico & Western Caribbean.

Katie Thompson (left) and CIM Director, Patricia González

TOF’s Alejandra Navarrete and Katie Thompson attended this week’s celebration. Mrs. Navarrete received an award from CIM for TOF’s decades of collaboration with and support of CIM. Ms. Thompson gave the presentation “The Ocean Foundation and CIM: 21 years of science, discovery, and friendship” on the panel “International Scientific Relations and Capacity Building” moderated by CIM Director Patricia González. TOF is excited to continue collaborating with CIM for many more years on marine science and conservation in Cuba and the Wider Caribbean Region.

Read More

KeynoteWednesday, 9 October 2019 Honorable Senators and distinguished guests.My name is Mark Spalding, and I am the President of The Ocean Foundation, and of the A.C. Fundación Mexicana para el Océano This is my 30th year of …

Conference of Parties for the Cartagena Convention will meet in Roatan, Honduras to address marine environmental issues Regional Experts look forward to finding solutions for common challenges in the Wider Caribbean …